I am quite convinced that App Store brought another kind of game genre that can be named Pick up and Play.

Pick up and Play is a game designed for a quick session. It can be polished but it does not have a lot of content that usually a console game has.

Particle Collider is one of those new Pick up and Play games. The loading time is OK, it has simple rules, one game mode, one difficulty level and a game session is relatively short (unless you are really, really good of course).

So if you like games such as Scoops and Doodle Jump you will probably enjoy this one too.

Gameplay

The game goal is to make particles of the same color collide (score!) and avoid different ones to bang into each other (one life less).

The controls are simple. You tap and swipe or even drag a particle directly to another one of the same color. In addition, you can tap and hold to enable the particle shield which will avoid a collision.

The screen is well organized and easy to read.

At top left you have lives (represented by hearts).

At top middle you have an energy bar (lifeline) that tells you the available power-ups that can help you (a lot) to score more. This bar increases over time and can be filled faster by double tapping energy packets. Energy packets are particles (marked with an E) that can be used alone (less energy) or joined with other packets (powerful).

Finally, at bottom right you have the lifeline activator. This will bring up to 5 power-ups that includes a Nuke and an extra life. Those power-ups are very helpful and they can surely increase your score a lot. Use them!

The game starts slowly. Easy to manage. But the levels are short and soon you will face some challenges (different elements and particles color are added) and the need to use that extra power.

Once all lives are gone the game is over and a nice resume is displayed. Unfortunately there is no online high score.

Graphics

Although it can be considered a Pick up and Play game it has a very polished and useful interface. The game graphics are also top-notch. The background is alive and there is a strong consistence in the game overall theme. It does transmit a professional feeling.

Animations and swipe feedback are also good.

However, the game is not colorblind aware. Any game that plays with colors should provide some kind of alternative.

Sound

The game has a really nice background music that matches perfectly the game atmosphere.

Sound effects are also good.

However, the game does not support iPOD music.

Pros

A polished Pick up and Play gameGood background musicDetailed and well illustrated Help

Cons

It does not support resumeIt does not support iPOD musicIt does not have online high scoreOnly one landscape orientation (volume button down)

Conclusion

If you enjoy a simple but polished Pick up and Play game then Particle Collider is a good choice. It has a well balanced production but some basic features, such as resume and iPOD music, can easily aggregate more value to the game.

Ratings (scale of 1 to 5):

Graphics: -3.5- polished but it is not colorblind awareSound: -3.5- good but no iPOD music supportControls: -4- auto flip is not supported Gameplay: -4- a good Pick up and Play

Playing Hints and Tips:

Use lifelines as much as possibleTap and hold a particle to activate its shield temporallyJoin several Energy Packs to get more energy